What do you do now?

Don’t panic! If you have been using compounded Semaglutide or Tirzapetide for weight loss, you may have heard that compounded Tirzapetide will no longer be available after March and compounded Semaglutide may not be available after April.

Why is this happening? Compounded Tirzapetide and Semaglutide were introduced during times of drug shortages. While they provided more affordable and accessible alternatives, they have also introduced additional risks for the patient.

Compounded formulations do not undergo the rigorous FDA approval process that confirms the safety and quality of standard medications. These formulations have been associated with contaminants and dosing misinformation or errors, which have led to a lack of efficacy, increased side effects and even hospitalizations or death.

This has led pharmaceutical companies to file lawsuits against compounding pharmacies to restrict production and distribution of these compounds. Lily, who manufactures Tirzapetide, won their lawsuit against the compounding pharmacies, and Novadisk, manufacturer of Semaglutide, goes to trial in April.

This change may leave patients frustrated due to limited access and wondering what to do next.

If you are concerned about losing access to these medications, please realize that there are still pathways that you may pursue.

Is it worthwhile to revisit options with your physician and insurance company?

The answer is a resounding yes! New FDA-approved indications for GLP-1’s are added yearly. These drugs are no longer just for diabetes. Recently, the FDA approved Wegovy (Semaglutide) for the treatment of cardiovascular disease complicated by obesity and Zepbound (Tirzapetide) for sleep apnea in obese patients.

Insurance companies also adjust their list of covered medications annually. It’s worthwhile to ask your insurance company if they cover anti-obesity medications, which specific medications, and what are the prior authorization requirements.

Discount coupons may also exist on the Lily or Novadisk websites that can reduce costs.

Wegovy or Zepbound not covered by insurance? Check other Glp-1 medications.

Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzapetide) are both approved for treating diabetes. Depending on the insurance, these versions of Semaglutide or Tirazpetide may be covered for prediabetes or insulin resistance for patients with a higher BMI.

Liraglutide, a GLP-1 associated with more modest weight loss, may also be covered.

If GLP-1 medications remain inaccessible, many approved medications and procedures are available that work through different mechanisms to control appetite.

The next step If you have tried drugs or surgeries without success, it may be time to visit an obesity specialist. Obesity specialists have additional training and board certification focusing on the complexity of obesity. They provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that may involve more than one medication or a combination of therapies to help you reach your goals.

Do not despair over these changes. As newer weight loss medications are released and indications increase, these medications should become more affordable and easier to obtain.

Talk to your physician or obesity medicine specialist to customize a treatment plan for you to maximize your success.

Dr. Patterson Rosen is an internist with the Willis Knighton Physician Network and a partner in Willis Knighton Internal Medicine at WK Portico Center. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Her practice includes the Metabolic Disease and Obesity Clinic, which is dedicated to healthy eating and weight loss.